Fleet surgical team saves a life aboard USS Somerset

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom reports that a crew member aboard the USS Somerset had an at-sea appendectomy on November 27, 2018.

Electrician’s Mate Fireman Samuel Guidroz, 20, was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean when he fell ill.

“Fireman Guidroz came to us, and we were able to determine he had acute appendicitis,” said Cmdr. Jeffery Chao, the surgeon for Littoral Combat Group One.

The sea was rough, but the officer of the deck found the smoothest course possible.

But not everything was working in Guidroz’s favor.

“Everything went great. Just like it would have if I had been back at a regular hospital,” Guidroz said. “This was a great learning experience to know the medical capabilities out here are far greater than my initial expectations. It feels good knowing and having that assurance that something like this can be taken care of out here at sea. I can’t thank the medical team enough for what they did.”

USS Somerset was named in honor of the 40 people aboard United Flight 93, the last of the planes hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001.